Database sparks paedophile fears

Senior social workers have issued a warning that a new Government computer database designed to protect children could actually be exploited by abusers.

The £224 million ContactPoint system - which goes live next year - will contain the address, school and medical details of all 11 million children in England.

It was set up after the official inquiry into the death of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie concluded that her murder could have been prevented if there had been better communication between the professionals involved.

However, according to The Times, the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) has written to Christine Goodfellow, the official in charge of the system, expressing concerns about the policing and vetting arrangements.

Richard Stiff, the chairman of the ADCS information systems and technology policy committee, said it "may allow a situation where an abuser could be able to access ContactPoint for illegitimate purposes with limited fear of any repercussions".

According to The Times, an estimated 330,000 approved users will have access to the database - ranging from head teachers, doctors and social workers to the fire and rescue services.

The paper said that the security concerns had been heightened by the disclosure that details of the children of politicians and celebrities were likely to be excluded from the system.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families, however, insisted that the system would be secure.

"ContactPoint will be the quick way for authorised users of the system to find out who else is working with the same child or young person," a spokesman said.

"It will hold no case data and access will be restricted to people who need it to do their job."